Time is running out in school trustee elections

Time is running out in school trustee elections

Those wanting to stand as a candidate in the School Trustee Elections are running out of time. If nominations are not received by noon on Thursday 16 May, those wanting to have a say on their school board over the next three years will miss out.

National Election Project Manager, Elaine Hines says “the nomination period is drawing to a close and I urge anyone considering trusteeship to get their nomination form in before the deadline on Thursday”.

Ms Hines encourages people to nominate others they think would make good trustees. “You don’t need to have a child at the school; you just need to care about seeing your local school and its students succeed”.

It is essential to every school to get sufficient candidates with the right mix of skills to stand for election, and shoulder tapping people within the school community who may have those skills is one way to achieve that.

More than 15,000 people are needed to form boards at over 2,400 state and state integrated schools throughout New Zealand.

“It’s an important position and schools across the country are needing people from their communities who can ask questions, work as a team, think creatively, or crunch numbers”, says Elaine.

Financial know-how and strategic thinking are also valuable. Getting a blend of skills among members is important and something for voters to consider.

Those considering trusteeship for the first time can contact their local school for more information.

“If parents, families and whānau all get involved and take an active part in their school election process, they can take ownership of nominating and electing the right people to make a positive difference for our children.”

The 2013 School Trustee Elections are New Zealand’s biggest single democratic event and this is the ninth triennial election since self managing schools were introduced in 1989.

Nominations close at noon on 16 May, with voting closing at noon 30 May 2013.

Key dates:
Call for nominations By 2 May 2013
Nominations close Noon 16 May 2013
Voting closes Noon 30 May 2013
Results declared 5 June 2013
New board takes office 6 June 2013

ENDS

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